Algeria Severs Air Links with the United Arab Emirates
Algeria has officially decided to terminate its air links with the United Arab Emirates. On Saturday, February 7, 2026, the country launched the procedure to break their common agreement. The APS agency and national radio quickly relayed the information.
This text had framed their exchanges since 2013. To get rid of it, Algeria activated Article 22 of the convention. The Emirati authorities and the International Civil Aviation Organization were notified through diplomatic channels.
Nothing changes for passengers in the immediate future. The Emirati civil aviation authority confirms that flights will continue normally. International law provides for a twelve-month notice period before the actual end of the contract. Therefore, Air Algérie, Emirates, and Etihad aircraft will keep their current slots during this phase.
If Algeria remains discreet about its motivations, the political context is significant. Several sources mention persistent diplomatic tensions between the two capitals for several months. Abu Dhabi has not yet commented on these tensions in an official manner.
At the end of this transition year, everything will depend on the negotiations. Without a new compromise, the current legal framework will disappear completely. It will then be necessary to rebuild new rules to maintain the lines between the two countries.
